The Relationship Between Interoception, Alexithymia, Autistic Traits and Eating Pathology in Autistic Adults.
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| Title: | The Relationship Between Interoception, Alexithymia, Autistic Traits and Eating Pathology in Autistic Adults. |
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| Authors: | Westwood, Heather (AUTHOR), Mandy, Will (AUTHOR), Brewer, Rebecca (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders. Jul2026, Vol. 56 Issue 7, p2574-2587. 14p. |
| Subjects: | Cross-sectional method, Statistical models, Research funding, Data analysis, Cronbach's alpha, Autism, Sensory perception, Alexithymia, Questionnaires, Body image, Structural equation modeling, Chi-squared test, Eating disorders, Mathematical models, Statistics, Asperger's syndrome, Theory, Comparative studies, People with disabilities, Self-perception, Disease complications |
| Abstract: | This study investigated the mechanisms underlying disordered eating of autistic adults, by investigating associations between eating disorder (ED) symptoms and autistic traits; autism-specific atypical eating; alexithymia; interoception; and body image in autistic and non-autistic participants. Autistic adults (n = 196) and non-autistic adults (n = 206) completed online self-report measures assessing ED pathology, atypical eating, body image dissatisfaction, interoception, alexithymia, and autistic traits. Structural Equation Modelling tested a theoretical model of the relationships between these variables, and whether these relationships were moderated by autism diagnosis. Autistic adults self-reported higher ED pathology than non-autistic adults. The proposed model and the strength of the relationship between body image and ED pathology did not differ between the autistic and non-autistic groups. Atypical eating (not related to over-evaluation of weight/shape), however, was only associated with ED pathology in the autistic group. Both traditional and additional factors, including eating disturbances not driven by weight/shape concern, appear to contribute to ED pathology in autism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | This study investigated the mechanisms underlying disordered eating of autistic adults, by investigating associations between eating disorder (ED) symptoms and autistic traits; autism-specific atypical eating; alexithymia; interoception; and body image in autistic and non-autistic participants. Autistic adults (n = 196) and non-autistic adults (n = 206) completed online self-report measures assessing ED pathology, atypical eating, body image dissatisfaction, interoception, alexithymia, and autistic traits. Structural Equation Modelling tested a theoretical model of the relationships between these variables, and whether these relationships were moderated by autism diagnosis. Autistic adults self-reported higher ED pathology than non-autistic adults. The proposed model and the strength of the relationship between body image and ED pathology did not differ between the autistic and non-autistic groups. Atypical eating (not related to over-evaluation of weight/shape), however, was only associated with ED pathology in the autistic group. Both traditional and additional factors, including eating disturbances not driven by weight/shape concern, appear to contribute to ED pathology in autism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 01623257 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s10803-024-06708-5 |
